Linwood native Dennis Horner didn’t expect to play as much as he did, but with Shelden Williams and Johan Petro in early foul trouble, Nets coach Avery Johnson was forced to turn to him for some minutes late in the first quarter.

The N.C. State product, who played in Belgium and Cyprus last season, had played three games for the Nets’ Springfield affiliate in the D-League before signing a training camp contract with the parent club last week. But he didn’t look out of place in his first NBA preseason game. He finished with four points, four rebounds, three assists, and one blocked shot in 18:27 of action of today's 92-83 preseason-opening loss to the Knicks.

“I thought Dennis played really well ... especially defensively,” Nets point guard Deron Williams said. “He’s been a surprise at camp, because I never heard of him. So he’s come in and played really hard and played well for us. He’s rebounding, he’s blocking shots; he’s one of those energy guys that you need on a team.”

“At first, I thought, going into the game, I was going to be not able to hold my own,” said Horner, who estimated he had roughly 35 family members and friends who made the trip up from South Jersey to see his debut in a Nets uniform. “But you know, once you get in the flow it’s like, ‘I can play with these guys.’ I’m not as good as them, but I can hold my own.”

Horner remains a long shot to make the team, especially if the Nets sign a power forward, like Kris Humphries, before the season. But Horner appreciates the opportunity he is getting.

“My mind set is I have nothing to lose, so why not just go out here and give it my all?” he said. “If I don’t make it, at least I got my foot in the door the first time.”

Nets rookie MarShon Brooks hit the first shot he took — a 20-foot jumper with 2:41 remaining in the first quarter.

“That was huge, from a confidence standpoint,” said Brooks, whom the Nets traded with Boston to get in the draft. “But if I would have missed it, I would have shot the next one, I’m going to be totally honest.”

Shawne Williams, the ex-Knick who the Nets signed as a free agent on Thursday, missed the game because of what the Nets said were “flu-like symptoms.” Johnson said the Nets hope the forward will be back to practice Monday.

Jordan Williams, the Nets’ other rookie, also missed the game following an episode of dehydration he suffered following Tuesday’s practice. He has been working on the exercise bike and working with the strength and conditioning coach since Thursday and he said he is fine now.